With the winter months approaching, the time to start our greens colorant program has begun. We use turf pigments as the base of our program, not paint as is often assumed. In our geographical location we often find that our greens, if maintained with a pigment program, do not go completely dormant under normal winter conditions. Paints are generally used after the turf goes dormant, and are much more expensive. The key to success with pigments is starting to apply them before the onset of cold weather, essentially when the turf is still completely green and hasn’t lost any color. This allows you to build up a better pigment base on the plant and in a way “lock in” some of the natural color. Once we start applying, we generally do repeat applications every 14-21 days in order to avoid losing color completely, because once it's lost the only way to return back to a natural look is with turf paint. Applications are generally made with a surfactant to aid in coverage and adhesion, and a micronutrient fertilizer containing Iron. Iron when applied makes the plant darker, which adds to the more natural look. Lastly, we believe that using pigments aids us in a smoother transition in the spring months and does not mask any potential turf problems during the winter like paints have been known to do.

September ushers in images of football, an end to the summer heat and the annual BC Crowell Scholarship Golf Tournament. This exciting tournament not only brings everyone together over their favorite hobby and past time but celebrates one of Covington’s own sports enthusiasts who grew up quite close to the Oaks Course in Porterdale, Georgia. In fact, the entrance to our course is located on Crowell Road.

BC Crowell was an avid sports enthusiast, he grew up playing baseball even having a stint with the NY Yankees farm team in Lakeland, Florida. After serving in the Navy during WWII, he returned to Newton County and coached numerous sports. He was the Athletic Director for the Bibb Manufacturing Company that owned the Porterdale golf course which is now The Oaks Course.

During the construction of the Oaks Course, BC was one of the first visitors to check out what was going on with his beloved course. He told Dick Schulz, “If you are going to renovate this place, you either do it right or don’t do it at all”. BC was a regular figure around the Oaks Course until his death at 86 in 2010. He was remembered fondly by Porterdale Mayor, Arline Chapman "The legacy of B.C. Crowell's unselfish service to the citizens of Newton County, and in particular the people and children of Porterdale, is one that we must emulate to honor him into the future."

He loved to tell stories and he loved Newton County. Most importantly he loved providing recreational opportunities for the youth in the community. The BC Crowell Tournament has been held at The Oaks Course since 1990 and raises money for two $1000 Scholarships. This year's tournament is scheduled for Friday, September 14, 2018 at 10am. If you are interested in playing in this year’s tournament, you can learn more about it here or contact us at The Oaks Course. There are only a few more days to sign up and you don’t want to miss out!

August 2018

Use GPS (golf professional services) to get direction with your game

The great Yogi Berra once said, “if you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.” This is where the majority of the golfing population is going, someplace else. You need directions to get to your destination if you are taking a road trip. You need direction with your golf improvement.

I see and hear players working on their game every day on the range and practice green with some idea or tip that they heard or saw that has nothing to do with what the root cause of their problem is. You wouldn’t take medication for a sickness you do not have, then why would you work on your game with motions or concepts that are not your issue? Kind of a head scratcher to me.

If you are sick, you go to the doctor. If your game is sick, go to a PGA Professional. I have very important news for you…YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO IT ALONE! The proper way to work on your game is go for a check-up. Find out what’s wrong, how bad is it, and how you can fix it. Professional golfers have coaches, you should too.

The Coaches Corner is brought to you by our Oaks Course Golf Pro, Brad Patton. Brad is the Lead Staff Instructor and PGA Assistant Golf Professional. He has real a passion for golf and instruction, and has been part of the Oaks Course team for several years.

It’s almost time to go back to school! Time flies when you are having fun. We’ve had a busy summer at the Oaks with three golf and science camps. I want to thank the staff, camp counselors, and all the people who brought their specialties to teach us something new.

It was fun to watch kids of all ages learn the fundamentals of golf and hope they continue to play and grow the game. They made new friends and made kids who were not as outgoing feel as they were all in it together. I loved to see kids just having fun and the adults trying to keep up with them. I just had to feed them and let me tell you, these kids can eat!

The campers were fun, the weather was “HOT” and now the parents can send their children back to school with a full stomach, better understanding of the environment and the fundamentals of golf. I hope the teachers had a restful summer because guess what, “Here they come”. See you next summer.